This 11-year-old girl didn’t just live life with laughter; she protected it with love. In her final moments, she instinctively did what her family says she always did: put others before herself, giving her younger cousin another chance to live.
Jordan Roe tragically died in a tubing accident during a family barbecue on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, marking a devastating start to summer break. The accident also left her 8-year-old cousin Laila seriously injured and recovering from surgery.
Jordan had been tubing with her cousins, Laila and 9-year-old Brylee, when the accident occurred. According to WCJB, the accident happened near the Putnam-Alachua County line. While officials did not immediately identify the victims, residents initially believed the 8-year-old had died.
However, family members later confirmed that it was Jordan who had died. WCJB reports that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission confirmed that the three children were on a tube being pulled by a Sea-Doo jet ski when it collided with a dock, ejecting all three into the water.
Brylee sustained only minor bruises, but now grieves the cousin she described as a sister. Kristine Robinson, Laila and Brylee’s mother, who had been away at a Tampa NICU with her preemie newborn, is urging families to cherish loved ones and practice water safety.
Although Laila survived, she had to undergo several surgeries. According to Robinson, Jordan’s actions saved Laila’s life. “Jordan sacrificed her life, and she saved her cousin’s life with her life,” Jordan’s aunt said, calling Jordan the protector of the family.
The tragic death of Jordan has affected the community. An emotional tribute was given on Facebook in her honor. The post by Allison Hadley said Jordan “lit up every room,” and little girl’s giggles still echo in their memories.
“The love, laughter, and joy you brought will echo in our hearts forever. You were a light in our lives, and that light will never fade,” the tribute continued. The celebration of life in Jordan’s honor is attached to the tribute.
Two GoFundMe pages have been established — one for Laila’s continued medical transportation and another for Jordan’s funeral expenses. The GoFundMe campaign launched for Jordan further described her as a “free spirit and compassionate.”
Her compassion extended beyond fellow humans as she loved to rescue animals. The little girl was also a straight-A student who dreamed of becoming a veterinarian. The campaign also revealed that she woke every day, checking her hands and hoping it would stay steady to help others.
The second GoFundMe campaign for Laila and Brylee detailed Laila’s medical status. The 8-year-old is currently in the pediatric ICU, fighting every minute to recover from her injuries. She has a big heart and adored her cousin very much before the tragedy happened.
The campaign was launched to cover her medical expenses and those of her sister, Brylee. It would serve to keep her alive to reunite with her mother and little brother, who was born prematurely in another state’s NICU.
Meanwhile, a longtime resident of the area, Steven Gabbard, expressed sorrow over the tragedy, “Oh my gosh. It’s unbelievable,” he said, adding that Star Lake is usually peaceful and not open to the public.
Gabbard, who moved to the area in the early ’90s, said he hasn’t seen as many children on the lake in recent years, which made the accident all the more shocking.
Jordan’s final act of love has left an indelible mark on her family and community. As her loved ones mourn a life cut short, they also honor the courage, kindness, and light she brought into the world.
